Brain Cramp

“A fantastic resource for students of mental obstructions is a German work by Heinrich Schlüb called Gehirnkrampf: Eine Geschichte der Schreibblockade, which translates to Brain Cramp: A History of Writer’s Block. Schlüb, in a flash of mimetic genius, turned in a manuscript of 375 pages that was completely blank except for the title and a dedication to his wife, who was also his secretary. ‘Zu meiner wunderbaren Ehefrau Gerta: Haben Sie dies mit Ihren Füßen getippt?’ Translated, the dedication reads ‘To my wonderful wife Gerta: Did you type this with your feet?’”